"Fresh Air" kids to visit Chambersburg area next week

Next host week is Aug. 5 to 12

FRANKLIN COUNTY &GT;&GT; Next Tuesday, nine children from New York will get the chance to experience a week in the country with host families from Shippensburg, Greencastle, Waynesboro, and Chambersburg.

The Fresh Air Fund is an independent, not-for-profit agency that has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877, according to a release from the organization.

Children aged 6 through 18 will be hosted in rural, suburban and small town communities in 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada.

Laura Geesaman, coordinator for Fresh Air Kids in Franklin and Adams County, said that five of the same children are back to spend a week with families and four families and children are brand new to the program.

"That's ideally how the program works," she said, stating that the hope is that the host parents can "become a second family" in the country.

She said this year is unique because two sets of sisters-in-law are hosting for the first time.

One of the new hosts this year is Michelle Geesaman's family in Waynesboro.

Michelle, Laura's sister-in-law, has seen what the program does, but it's the first time she decided to be a host. She will be hosting Bianca Harris, 10.

"We have a swimming pool at the home," she said. "We are planning on swimming, doing some family picnics. She'll be here over the 4th of July so there will be fireworks. We're also thinking about visiting a farm."

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She also thinks the experience will also be eye-opening for her children, a 10-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter.

Laura said there is another opportunity to host children Aug. 5 to 12.